On Tuesday, 23 January, the European Commission adopted new minimum hygiene requirements for materials and products that come into contact with drinking water. This was achieved by means of three delegated regulations [and three implementing decisions] supplementing Directive 2020/2184 on water intended for human consumption, known as the ‘Drinking Water Directive’ (see EUROPE 13275/10).
The first regulation establishes the European positive lists of substances, compositions, and constituents that may be used in the manufacture of materials or end products that come into contact with drinking water.
The second [implementing decision] defines the methods for testing and accepting the final materials used in these products. Only final materials that have been tested and accepted may be used in products covered by the directive.
The [second delegated regulation] defines the conformity assessment procedures applicable to these products and the rules for designating conformity assessment bodies.
The materials and products that comply with the new EU standards will receive a specific marking and declaration of conformity and will thus be able to be sold in the EU without any restrictions linked to possible public health or environmental concerns.
These standards will come into force on 31 December 2026 and will apply to materials and products used in new installations for the abstraction, treatment, storage, or distribution of water or used when older installations are renovated or repaired (for example, repairs to supply pipes, valves, pumps, water meters, fittings, and taps).
They are expected to prevent microbial growth, reduce the risk of harmful substances leaching into drinking water, and make life easier for national authorities. These standards are also expected to reduce the administrative burden for companies that manufacture the materials and products concerned as well as for national authorities.
“Reducing contamination is a key element of water resilience and the resilience of our whole ecosystem,” European Commissioner for the Environment Virginijus Sinkevičius commented ahead of the European Commission’s expected communication on the subject (see EUROPE 13329/2).
The regulations [and decisions]: https://aeur.eu/f/ait (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)